I wonder where all this finished up in the end ? If for no other reason, I thought that rekindling interest in our Ch. 116 cars by means of the article is a great idea. Pity we don't hear much from Mark these days - I know he sold two of his 6.9s, but there still has to be some sort of follow up story on this other cars.

I do know that, for whatever reason, he has been advertising the 420SEL he bought from me - it had been a great car but the broken chain guide did its job in ruining the left bank of the engine. Regards Styria

As I get older, I seem to have even less time for things! Sorry it's been such a long time; to add to my woes my computer died and it's taken 6 months to recover something that barely works properly. So much for Windows backup...

Facebook seems to have taken over peoples interests (including mine). However I still think there's a place for these forums since they're the best source of information by far.

As I get older, I seem to have even less time for things! Sorry it's been such a long time; to add to my woes my computer died and it's taken 6 months to recover something that barely works properly. So much for Windows backup...

Facebook seems to have taken over peoples interests (including mine). However I still think there's a place for these forums since they're the best source of information by far.

Sorry about your computer.
Technology these days is sometimes so good that things can be recovered rather easily.

Well Mark, how did you finish up in the end ? I notice that you have had a number of stop/goes, but presently "you're killing them" so to speak. Pity that Photobucket stuffed up the thread. So, any further news we can feast our eyes on ? Regards Styria

Well I've taken some huge steps forward on my quest today; and the strange connections with me and the car just keep coming....

I happened to be in the area for work and dropped by the Sunbury Visitor's Information Centre. The ladies there were very helpful and after some initial curious looks as I told them my story, their wheels started turning. I mentioned I believed Fangio was involved in the 6.9 press release at Emu Bottom. They advised me that the Emu Bottom Homestead was no longer open to the public as a historical site and that it was currently for sale with 1 day left for applications to be submitted. Apparently the current owners bought the property in 1968 (the year I was born), so they've had it for 50 years. They then pulled out a week old copy of the Sunbury Leader and showed me an article on the property and the owners. In the article it actually mentions a visit by Fangio! That's when the ladies became even more interested. I managed to get some contact details for a couple of historical societies that hold records for the area, thanked them both for their help and left.

Made a couple of phone calls including Emu Bottom Homestead bookings (handled by an external organization) and obtained email addresses to forward the photo in an attempt to locate the photo location. I even got the meeting details of the historians running the Sunbury Museum which is currently undergoing renovations. So then I head for an afternoon coffee break. Down to an old favorite for a Mocha at Jolly Miller and from a distance I stare at the pictures on the wall (which I've seen many times before). And then in the corner of one of the pictures I notice an unusual and familiar window...

I call the ladies at the Visitor's Centre and tell them that I think I have my answer already. They're very happy I gave them the update.

Then I call MBA/Pacific to see if they have any records of the press release day. When I got home I checked the ad for Emu Bottom and found an area on the property that showed promise, but lacked the horse trough in the background (well it has been 40 years and things do change)!

Next lines of enquiry will be the MBCV and The Financial Review, followed by Fangios relatives (seriously)!

Hopefully when I'm done I'll be able to put it all together as a photographic record of the one day in history when the 6.9 reached our shores and was driven by a F1 legend.

Great detective work!!! You were right all along. Curious as to the history of Emu Bottom Homestead, Google provided historical photographs, one of which I viewed being provided by FILM VICTORIA AUSTRALIA. It was spot on for the location shoot of Skye. I absolutely love exploring histories and it was only by chance that I came across this photograph with much respect to Oversize investigating Skye's journey. Congratulations!!! Well done indeed.

I'm on a roll with this one! After doing more research I discovered that in retirement Fangio sold Mercedes Benz cars and in 1974 he was appointed President of Mercedes Benz Argentina.

It appears Fangio was invited to the 1978 Australian Grand Prix (also known at the time as the Formula 5000) to present the trophy to the winning driver. Held at Sandown Raceway on 10th September 1978 it was only 4 days before the article in The Australian Financial Review. Apparently the winner Graham McRae was more excited about meeting Fangio than winning the race!

After the main event there was a 'demo' race between Fangio, Jack Brabham, Bob Jane and Bill Patterson. Now considering I have an old 6.9 ad quoting Jack Brabham as saying the 6.9 was the most fantastic car he'd ever driven (I think I posted it on TK years ago), and Bob Jane lives in Diggers Rest only a few kilometers from Emu Bottom, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that all three were at the 6.9 media launch!!! Now isn't THAT interesting....

Great detective work!!! You were right all along. Curious as to the history of Emu Bottom Homestead, Google provided historical photographs, one of which I viewed being provided by FILM VICTORIA AUSTRALIA. It was spot on for the location shoot of Skye. I absolutely love exploring histories and it was only by chance that I came across this photograph with much respect to Oversize investigating Skye's journey. Congratulations!!! Well done indeed.

That's just brilliant!!! I didn't see those pictures until I logged on via laptop.
Well done to you for tracking down that photo! I wonder what happened to the horse trough? The white wall explains the lack of trees and landscape in the background of the old picture. I love history; particularly when there's links and connections to follow!